Daily Distractions: When baseball imitates reality television (accidentally or otherwise).

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Kenley Jansen

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen jumps into the Chase Field pool after Thursday’s win. (Associated Press photo)

Sports is the original reality television. Nothing like a little drama to spice it up, right?

Forget “Poolgate.” Call the controversy over the Dodgers’ postgame celebration “The Real World: Phoenix” (and hope MTV doesn’t keep a copyright attorney on retainer).

Apparently, prior to the series, the Arizona Diamondbacks asked the Dodgers to confine their clinching celebration to the visitors’ clubhouse. They even stationed some security guards on the field Thursday to make sure the Dodgers didn’t do anything crazy:

As it always does, human nature set in. When someone is ordered not to do something, he finds his best way around it. Ever pull into the carpool lane while stuck in traffic and driving alone? Ever sneak a peak at your phone at a red light, look for a cop, then quickly put the phone away? (There was a case of crude rebellion on Project Runway last night. Ah, reality TV — the reality is, I was ironing before you got into the room!)

The Dodgers ran across the field and into the pool.

The incident has spawned some lengthy prose about celebrations and their place in baseball.

Even Arizona senator John McCain chimed in today:

Again, this wasn’t about a celebration.

Hall, now the Diamondbacks’ president, is the Dodgers’ former director of public relations. He may have discretely asked the Dodgers not to go back onto the field to celebrate, but then how did Scully find out and mention this on the broadcast? That got the fans involved, too. Pretty brilliant way to incite a rivalry, accidentally or otherwise.

Seeing the drama go viral, it’s not hard to imagine Hall sipping on some champagne himself this morning.

Some bullet points to get you through the weekend:

• Grant Brisbee explores the possibilities for how the Dodgers could have celebrated if they clinched elsewhere on the road.

• A fascinating analysis of the Dodgers’ player payroll and individual WAR concludes: Take away seven of their highest-paid players and the Dodgers would still be on pace to win the West.

• Hanley Ramirez is having the best offensive season by a shortstop since 1904 (h/t Dave Cameron). For those unfamiliar with wRC+, click here.

• Tim Federowicz did the worst frame job of any major-league catcher last week.

• San Diego Padres pitcher Tyson Ross is the most unhittable starter in the National League. The Dodgers will miss him in this series.

• Tommy Lasorda visited “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson.”

• If you’re in the camp that believes the Dodgers will make a run at Roy Halladay this winter, or are intrigued about what that camp has to offer, chew on this.

• Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett made my job look harder than it is the other day. I suppose that’s what happens when athletes imitate sports writers. But seriously, can’t baseball players make simple observations about the size of the crowd without fear of backlash?

• This was my personal favorite moment from yesterday’s game:

• Figured it’s a good time to leave you with some Poolside: